Edmund o



Aug.7, 1923.

E. o. SCHWEITZER CURRENT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed April 29, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 7, 1923.

1,463,974 E. o. SCHWEITZER cunnzu'r con'rnonmne DEVICE Filed April 29, 1920 Aug. 1,192 1,463,974

E. O. SCHWEITZER cuansu'r con-momma panes 115:! April 29 1920 .3 Shuts-shat 5 wrww Patented Aug. 7, 1923.

:"'*. ...'UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SCHWEITZER A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

cunnEN'r-coNTnoLnmc DEVICE.

' a hlfipllcation filcd April 29, 1920. Serial No. 377,581.

Z10, all'wlwm it may cmwem Bevitqlmown that I EDMUND O. SorrwnrrzEB,-.-a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago in the county. of .Gook and State of Illinois, .haveinvented a certain new and useful: Improvement in Current-Controlling Devices-E01 .which the following isa full, clear, .concise and exact 1 description, reference being. had to the accompanying drawi Iforming apartof this specification.

yinvention relates'to current controlling-devices and-moreparticularly to that type ofdevice which has come to be known as adisconnectswitch. !-By.thiS -'I mean that lhave'ixdapted myinvention for use particularlyg in. connection with disconnect switches,' -but' L-do inot wish thereby to he understood as-limitingany invention to such useyas the. features of myinvention are applicable in. other connections. I In the presentapp lication hewever'I' am describing my inyentiomas' applying particularly to disconnect? switches.-= The term disconnect switch lasiusedherein means an auxiliary switchingmechanismwhich forms part of a high potentialswitc'h mechanism suchfor instance as an oil-break; the ordinary disconnect switch itself furnishes an auxiliary air-breakvso as to indicate to the-operator that the high potential circuit throu h the oil switch with which the disconnect switch is connected is open should the disconnect switch be in such a position as to show an air'bneak.- A switch of this general nature is-shownin Patent No. 1,247.842 dated Nov. 27, 1917. a

- I have devised aswitching mechanism which is of particular utility as a disconnect switch although as before stated the switching mechanism of my invention has other usesas will be readily apparent from the detailed description thereof 'which will be given in connection with the drawings.

In the form herein disclosed my improved disconnect switch mechanism is designed to effect a double circuit rupture, there being two separate and distinct mechanisms for this purpose. In the particular form which I am using asa basis for this application one of the switching mechanisms is visible and the other is not. Suitable meansnare provided so that the switching mechanismwhich is not visible may operate automatically in accordance with certain conditions. I will describe this particular formwhich my invention may take more in detail'by referring to the acxrompanying drawings illustrating the same, in which- Fig. 1 IS a. general view illustrating a high potential switch mechanism in cooperation with my improved disconnect switch;

Fig-2 is a vertical sectional-view of my improved disconnect switch; F Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3I3of Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing the switch in its alternativef-po' sition; T

Fig. 5 is a front view of the disconnect switch in its circuit closing position;

Fig. 6 shows the operating handle;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the invention; and 4 Fig. 8 is a side view of a further modified form.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, I show a plurality of the customary forms of, oil circuit breakers 11 mounted in suitable compartments 12, the movable contacts of which are operated by a suitable motor 13.- The oil circuit breakers 11 are of course designed to break the circuit whenever occa sion requires and they are constructed for that purpose. My improved disconnect switches 14 are serially associatedwith the oil circuit breakers and are designed to provide a visible break in the circuit which shall be indicative of the fact that the main oil circuit breakers 11 have had the circuit therethrough opened. Accidents have been fatal by reason of the enclosed nature'of the oil circuit breakers. Normally and prior to the introduction of my invention, knife switches have been provided serially with the oil circuit breakers, which knife switches operators wererequired to open prior todo-i ing any work on the apparatus- These knife switches were supposed to indicate by visible means Whether or not the particular circuit was open or closed. F atal accidents have been fre uent by reason of operators opening these 'nife switches when through some mistake or imperfections in the appa ratus the oil circuit breaker associated with the knife switch was still in its closed condition omtrary y to. expectations. h :-I-f the op, erator ii'tteirfpted'to'open the knife switch under those conditions with the circuit breaker still in its closed condition a fatal accident was liable to result. I

My improved disconnect switch has switching means which are wisible, but also has enclosed switching means which operate rior to the visible switching means in openmg the circuit. If the operator opens my im: roved'disconne'ct switch,-even'though the mam'oil circuit breaker'is still in its closed condition, then the meclidnism within the disconnect'switch ,'and which is not visible, vii-I1 open'the ci-rcjuit withoumne attendant fatal resii-lts should an operator mere-1y open an ordinary kuife'switch under similar circuit conditions; v

in accordance with my inve tion 1 provials-e suitable movalile' container for my improveddisconnect switch within which suitable circuitcontrolling elements are mounted and which automatically move intd-ciicuit'closiflg "or circuit opening posi; tion depending upon the position occupied by -the container. The containerits'elf also carries visible switch mechanism which may be either in circuit opening or circuit closing position; v

11 Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 I have shown my improv d disconnect switch mechanism and in the particular forth herein shown the conductor which extends downwardly from the oil circuit breaker 11 is connected to a segment 16 fixedly mounted in place which se'gment is partly of conducting mate rial as at 17 and partly of insulating mate rial as at 18.

My improved disconnect switch includes a contaiiner 19 having acir'cular wall 20 of insulating material which is closed at its ends by the metallic caps 21 and 22 suitably cemented together. The cap 21 is fixedl mountedupon a conducting lug 22. which conducting In is pivotally mounted upon a. conducting s m 23. The metallic cap 22 has fixedly mounted thereon suitable switch blades 24 and 25 which hug the sides of the segment '16. Whenever the container 19 is in the position shown in Fig. 2 then the switch blades 24 and 25 are in contact with the metallic portion 17 of the segment. 16, whereas if the container 19 is in the position shown in Fig. 4 then the switch blades 24 and 25 are in association with the insulating portion 18 of the segment 16. It will thus be seen that the container may occupy either the c-ircut closing position of Fig'r. 2 or its alternative circuit opening po sition of Fig. '4. Themetallio cap 22 also supports a downwardly extending contact bracket 20 su morting a cupshapcd circuit terminal 27 This cup-shaped circuit terminal is designed to cooperate with a co operating movable contact element 28 carried upon the swinging arr-n 29. swinging arm is pivoted by means of the bolt 30 as shown upon supports 31, secured to the cap 21. A flexible conductor 32 .connects the arm 29 with the metallic cap 321. It will'thiis be seen that when the container 19 is in the position of Fig. "2 that the circuit extends from the stem 23 to the lug 22, cap 21 flexible conductor -32, contact element 28, cup-shaped contact element 27, bracket 26, metallic cap 22, switch blades-24 a'iid 25; conducting element 17 of the segaienc'le to the conductor 15 leading to the oil 'circiiit breaker. 'It will of course be understood that the circuit is conti ued in any'suitable'inanher from the stem 23. The container-else is provided with another bracket 33 which ca rries a suitable cup=shapedstop 34tolitiiit the mote'ment of the; circuit controlling element 28 as will be apparent from Fig; 4. The elements 28 and 29 are so proportioned that the movement of the container from one alternative position to the other automati cally through t'he'influiice of g ainy a movement of the element 281 mm one alternative position to the other. The shell or wall-20 of the container is-ofopaque material so that the elementswithin the container e 'r'e not visible rioriria'lljv The container 19 is also provided "with oil35 so that the contacts 27 and 28 operate under oil. The proportion of theielernents 17-and 18 is likewise such that the circuit between the elements 2'1 and 285s opened before 'the switch blades 24 and 25 leave the conducting portion 17. The container-is likewise provicled with a finger 36 which is to be engaged by corresponding finger-'37 -provided u on'a handle 38 shown in Fi {6; The operatdr is not supposed to'movet e container 19 from one alternative position to theother except by the aid ofthe handle 38. It will be seen from this that I have provided a; disconnect switch having the visible circuit controlling elements 17 24:, and 25, and having the hidden circuit controlling elements '27 and 28. The circuit controlling elements 27 and 28 operate under oil and it will be understood that should the operator open the disconnect switch, even though the oil circuit breaker is still in its closed conditiorn that the opening of the circuit between the elements 27 and'QS under oil'will prevent injur to the operative, even though under certain conditions it may be that theelomc'nts' 27 and 28 or other parts connected there with, are destroyed if the circuit is opened under suchconditions, It is of course desirable if the disconnect switch iszropcrated under these. conditions where the oil circuit breaker was in its closed condition that the disconnect switch be taken apart and thoroughly examined before being used a sec- 0nd time. The operative is, of course, never to work on the'apparatus associated with any particular circuit breaker unless the visible air-break between the elements 17 and 24 indicates that the circuit is opened.

By virtue of my improved disconnect switch the operator is safe guarded even though he should attempt to open the circuit with the oil circuit breaker in its closed condition. My improved disconnect switch so call-ed'herein is, of course, of use in other connections and under other conditions, and I do not intend to limit 'myself to the use thereof herein set forth or to the particular arrangement or construction of parts as shown herein, as many modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

In Fig.7 I show the switch mechanism arranged in such manner that the container 19 is rigidly although slightly yieldingly mounted. Thefarm 29 is pivoted so as to be balanced and may as ,a condition of repose rest .either against the-cup 27? or the stop 34%.. The switch blades of Fig. 2 may be retained if desired. In the operation of the device, the container is merely struck a blow against the resilient bumpersAO or 41 whereby theba-ll 28 due to theimpact flies in the direction oftheimpact toits alternative position on account of its balanced character; To thenmove the ball 28 intoits alternative position the container 14 is struck ablow on its opposite side. ,VVindows 42 -arejprov ided so that the; position of the balld28fi can be seem; .In;Fig. 8 a similar structure, is shownrin whieh, -however, the container. His pivotally mounted and which is -moved into and out of circuit breaking positiomby striking the bumpers 40 and 41. What, Lclaim as new. and. desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

,;1...;A devicev-ofthe character described. comprising a movablecontainer adapted to occupyalternative positions, switch mechanism within said container adapted to automatically assume. alternative positions corresponding .to,.-the positions of said container and; additional switch mechanism movablerbetween alternative positions with said container.

-2. A device of the character described comprising;=a; movable carrier adaptedv to occupy alternative positions,-switch mechanisms'comprising a member movable with said carrier to circuit'opening or closing position, and additional switch mechanism carried by said carrier automatically movable into circuit opening or closing position to correspond with the alternative positions occupied by said first mentioned switch mechanism,

,3. A device of the character described,. comprising a swingingly mounted movable container adapted to occupy alterna'tivepo sitions, switch mechanism within said container adapted to automatically amume: alternative positions of rest corresponding to the positions of said container, and' additional switch mechanism movable betweenalternative, positions with said container.-

4. A device of the; character described; comprising a movable carrier-adapted to oc-' cupy alternative limitingupositio'ns; switch mechanism .compnisingxa member movable with said carrier to circuit opening or clos ing position. and additional switch mechanism carried by said carrier automatically movable into circuit opening or closin'g position in accordance with the-- alternative limiting positions occupied by said carrier-,- said switch mechanisms 'inoving' to corresponding positions upon movement of said carrier.

5. A device of the character described,: com prising a container movable between two limiting positions, switch mechanism within said container adapted to automatically a's-- sume limiting circuit opening orclosing .po-. sitions corresponding. to the-limiting 'posi-' tions of said container f and additional; switch mechanism movablebetween altern'a tivepositions with said container; r .1-

6.'A- device-bf the'-cha-ra ':ter= described comprisinga movable carrier adapted to no copy alternative limiting positions',- ex'posed; switch I mechanism comprising I'awmember movable with said carrier to circuit opening or closing "position," and" concealedns'witchmechanism carried by saidcarrier automatically. movable into: circuit opening oriclos'ing position in accordance with the alternative limiting positions occupied by saidacarrier, said switch mechanisms moving st'o coi'responding circuit opening" er -closing. positions upon movement'ofsaid carrier-c 7. A-fidevice of 1 hevcharactendescribed; comprising a movable 'containerf adapted-to occupy alternative limiting -positions,': ex-: posed switch mechanism comprising a.- member mounted onsaid container: to move therewith; and. switch mechanismconcealed within said container comprising: 'a 'memben movable in'to circuit opening or C1OSiIlgPOSi-1 tion in accordance with the alternative--1im-. itingpositions occupied by said carrier saidi first mentioned member moving toward circuit opening position when saidcontai'ner moves in adirection too 11 said-concealed. switch andtowardcircuit closing position when saidcontainer moves in a direction to close said concealed switch.:- :2. T

8. A device of the character described comprising a swingingly' mounted container adapted to occupy alternative limiting'positions, exposed switch mechanism comprising a fixedmember having-conducting'and insulating "portions and a member slidable thereonmounted on said container to move therewithgand switch mechanism concealed within-said container comprising a member movable into a circuit between opposite openin and closing positions in accordance with the alternative limiting positions occupied by said carrier, said first mentioned member moving toward circuit opening position when said containermoves in a direction to open said concealed switch and towardzcircuit closing position when said contaiher moves in a direction to close,said concealed switch.

9. "A device of the character described, comprisin a container movable between two limi ing positions, concealed switch mechanism within said container adapted to automatically assume limiting circuit openingor closing positions corresponding to the limiting positions of said container, and visible switch mechanism movable between alternative positions with said contain'er.

"ML A device of the character described comprising a s'wingingly mounted container adapted to occupy alternative positions. exposed switch mechanism comprising a fixed member having conducting and insulating portions, a member mounted on said container to move therewith,'and switch mechanism concealed within said container comprisinga-member rhovableinto circuit opening or closing positionin' accordance with the a'lternative positions occupied by said carrier, said firs'tmentioned member moving toward circuit opening position when said container moves in a direction to open said concealed switch and toward circuit closing position when said container moves in a direction toclose said concealed switch, said fixed-[contact member serving as a guide for said container.

11. A device of the character described comprising a'swingingly mounted container adapted-t0 occupyalternative positions, exposed switch mechanism comprising a fixed member having conducting and insulating portions, a member mounted on said container to move therewith, and switch mechanism concealed within said container comprising a member movable into circuit op'ening or closing position in accordance with the alternative positions occupied by saidc arrier, said first mentioned member moving toward circuit opening position when said container moves in adirection 'to open said concealed switch and toward circuit closin position when said container moves in a irection to close said concealed switch, said fixed contact member serving as a guide for said container, said concealed switch mechanism opening before said visible switch mechanism is opened.

12. A device of the character described comprising a movable container adapted to occupy alternative positions, switch mechanism within said container automatically selectively responsive in accordance with the alternative positions occupied by said container, said container being provided with an arc extinguishing li uid, and additional switch mechanism mova le between alternative positions by said container, said switch mechanism in said container opening prior to said last mentioned switch mechanism.

13. A device of the character described comprising a swinging'ly mounted container adapted to occupy alternative positions, switch mechanism within said container au tomatica-lly selectively responsive in accordance with the alternative positions occupied b said container, said container bein provided with'an arc extinguishing liqui and additional switch mechanism movable between alternative positions by said container, said switch mechanism within said container closing subsequent to said additional switch mechanism.

14. A device 'of the character described comprisin a movable container adapted to occupy a te'rnative limiting positions, a switch mechanism within said container, an arc extinguishing liquid surrounding said switch mechanism, and an air brake switch mechanism extel'iorly of said container, both said switch mechanisms being in open position when said containerfis 'in one limiting position and both said switch :m'echanisms being in closed position when said container is in the alternative limitilig position.

15. A device of the characterdescribed switch mechanism within said container, adapted to occupy alternative positions, a switch mechanism within said container, an arc extinguishing liquid surrounding said switch mechanism, and an air break mechanism exteriorly of said container, both said switch mechanisms being in open posh tion when said container is in one pos tion and both said switch mechanisms being in closed position when said container is in the alternative position, the switch within said container moving into ope'nfposition prior to and into closed position subsequent to said- 'air break switch mechanism,

16. A device of the character described, comprising a container'movabl'e between two limiting positions, switch mechanism within said container adapted to automatically assume limiting circuit opening or closing positions corresponding to the limiting posi tions of said container, and additional switch mechanism movable between alternative positions with said container, said switch mechanisms being connected in series.

17. A device of the character described, comprising a container movable between two limiting positions, switch mechanism within said container adapted to automatically assume limiting circuit opening or closing positions corresponding to the limiting positions of said container, and additional switch mechanism movable between alternative" positions with said container, said switch-mechanisms being connected in series and moving successively intosaid alternative positionsi 18. A device of the character described comprising a carrier, two switch mechanisms controlled thereby, and means whereby one of said switch mechanisms is submerged in an arc extinguishing fluid, said switch mechanisms being connected in series and being so mounted that said last mentioned switch mechanism opens prior to said other switch mechanism.

19. An oil switch mechanism having two sets of circuit breaking members connected in series, one of said sets of members being movable by gravity into and out of a limiting circuit closing position andthe other of said sets being operable by positioning of a movable contact-relative to a fixed contact.

20. In a combined air break and oil break switch, a sealed chamber containing an arc extinguishing liquid, a circuit opening and closing mechanism in said chamber and a circuit opening and closing mechanism providing an air break, initiation of the opening movement of said air break mechanism causing said mechanism in said sealed chamber to open.

21. In a switch the combination a chamber containing an arc extinguishing liquid, and circuit openin and closing members immersed in said liquid adapted to assume open or closed positions responsive to a sharp impulse applied externally of said chamber.

22. In a combined air break and oil break switch, a sealed chamber containing an arc extinguishing liquid, a circuit opening and closing mechanism in said chamber and a circuit opening) and closing mechanism providmg an air reak, initiation of the opening movement of said air break mechanism causing said mechanism in said sealed chamber to open and the closing of said air break mechanism causing the mechanism in said sealed chamber to move toward closing position.

23. In a switching mechanism the combination of open or air break circuit opening and closing members and an arc extinguishing liquid immersed switch mechanism, the latter mechanism being operated automati cally by the operating movement of the air break mechanism, said mechanisms operating successively.

24. A- hermetically sealed container provided with suitable terminal electrodes, circuit opening and closing means within said container, said terminal electrodes arranged so that when the axis of the container is shifted said terminal electrodes maintain the circuit closed while the circuit opening and closing means within the container moveto an open circuit or closed circuit position de pendin upon the relativepositiono'f th'e said hermetically sealed container. 7

25. In an oil switch the combination of suitable mechanism; permitting" oscillatory movement-of a' sealed container, and swingingly mounted spherical contact means movab e between a limiting circuit opening and closing position within the sealed container. A 26. In a switching mechanism, an externally visible circuit opening and closing means and an internal and invisible circuit closing and opening means, said latter means inclosed in a sealed container and opening prior to and closing subsequent to said visible circuit openin and closing means.

27. A device 0% the character described, comprising a movable container adapted to occupy alternative positions, switch mechanism within said container, comprising -a pair of stops, and a member movable between said stops upon movement of said container, and additional switch mechanism comprising a contact member movable with said container electrically connected with one of said stops and a member with which said movable member engages.

28. device of the character described, comprising a movable container adapted to occupy alternative! positions, switch mechanism within said container, comprising a. pair of stops, and a member movable between said sto s upon movement of said container, and ad itional switch mechanism comprising a contact member movable with said contamer electrics-ll connected with one of said stops and a mem er with which said movable member engages, said last mentioned member comprising a conducting portion and an insulatiiig portion.

29. device of the character described, comprising a movable container adapted to occupy alternative positions, switch mechanism within said container, comprising a pair of stops, and a member movable between said stops upon movement of said container, and additional switch mechanism comprising a contact member movable with said container electrically connected with one of said stops and a member with which said movable member engages, said last mentioned member comprising a conducting portion and an insulating portion, said container member bemg 111 engagement with said conducting portion during the movement of said movable member into and out of engagement with the stop with which said contact member is connected.

30. A device of the character described, comprising a movable container adapted to occupy alternative positions, switch mechanism within said container, comprising a pair of stops, and a member movable between said stops upon movement or" said container, and

additional switch mechanism comprising a gaging said insulating portion, when said contact member movable with said container movable member engages with said other electrically connected with one of said stops stop. 10 and a member with which said movable In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe member engages, said last mentioned memmy name this 22nd day of April, A. 1)., 1920. her comprisingo c0nducting portion and an insulating P ntium-said C ntact member. en- EDMUND- O SCHWEITZER. 

